Medical Utilisation at a Major Sporting Event ­ a descriptive & epidemiological analysis

ABSTRACT

Background: Medical utilisation and contacts at amateur/international sporting events is an accepted phenomenon, as evidenced by mandatory medical coverage requirements for major events. There is little data however, on the volume and type of contacts expected outside of elite sport. This may lead to inefficient resource allocation and pose challenges to organisers in planning and delivery of medical services. In addition, data on contacts may assist in targeted preventative strategies. Objectives: We aimed to measure resource utilisation at the largest international aquatic sporting event in the hemisphere. We also aimed to measure epidemiological data including the type, location, sporting discipline and outcomes of medical contacts during the event. Methods: This was a prospective observational study conducted under the auspices of the organising committee of the XXX Confederation Centroamericana y del Caribe de Natacion (CCCAN) championships held in Trinidad & Tobago. Anonymised data was collected from event medical contact records, screening and voluntarily reported contacts by team medical staff (for individuals who did not visit event medical staff). We excluded contacts by spectators. Data was collected over a 12 day competition period. Descriptive analysis was undertaken using Microsoft Excel. Injury incidence rate (IR; number of injuries per 1000 athlete-days) and injury incidence proportion (IP; injuries per 100 athletes) were calculated. Results: There was a total of 5037 athlete/official days. There were 110 medical contacts for the event, with 80 occurring in athletes (72.7%). A significant number of non-sport related contacts was observed (60% of total) with a high number of complaints related to exhaustion and inadequate hydration. This was independent of country of origin. Acute gastroenteritis, ear and sinus infections were within expected frequencies. No EMS usage was necessary, and hospital transfers were for diagnostics in all cases. Open water swimming was associated with the most contacts, followed by water polo and swimming. Two-thirds of hospital transfers were for water polo associated injury. There were a total of 54 sport related contacts in 3956 athlete days (IR 13.65 injuries per 1000 athlete-days with an injury incidence proportion, IP; of 6.5 per 100 athletes). Conclusions: Planning for aquatic events must take into consideration non-sport as well as competition related complaints. This study gives important information on medical utilisation for future event planning.